93 points from the Wine Advocate! They say, `The 2001 Reserva Privada is a blend of three vineyard sites...Purple-colored, it offers a full-throttle nose of scorched earth, espresso, blueberry, and blackberry jam. Mouth-filling, with great concentration and depth of flavor, this full-bodied wine is beautifully balanced and just beginning to strut its stuff. Give it another 4-6 years in bottle and drink it over the following decade. 2/2007` 92 points from Wine and Spirits: `The de la Mata family has tended vineyards in Rioja Alta since 1840. Pelayo de la Mata, the current Marqués de Vargas, built a winery on their estate in 1989. This 2001 is made from three vineyards on the property, aged in new Russian oak barrels. Its tart cherry and spicy tomato leaf aromas have a floral lift. The tannins are rich and subtle, not at all aggressive.` (12/08) 91 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: `Tangy red berry aromas offer impressive clarity and a suave undertone of spicy oak. At once pliant and focused, with energetic strawberry and redcurrant flavors, silky tannins and a jolt of acidity on the close. This seems much younger than a 2001, finishing with vibrant red fruit flavours and outstanding lingering sweetness.` (Jul/Aug '08)90 points from Wine Spectator: `A supple texture carries focused, expressive flavors in this red. Tobacco, spice and walnut notes accent a core of cherry fruit. Fresh and lively, with enough structure to age. ` (Nov. 15, 2007)